Keata – who is due to say her vows to her 25-year-old fiance James Bridgewood in August – said: “I had been talking about the wedding at work saying that I wasn’t panicking and that everything was running smoothly and then I came home to the letter and I was in tears.

“ I feel cheated. It has ruined the wedding planning . Everything was going so well and now I just feel angry.”

Keata’s nan Carol Hill paid £400 towards the dress on her credit card which she will be able to claim back but will lose the £700 she put on her debit card.

Keata said: “I tried about five different dresses on and knew straight away when I put on the one we eventually bought.

“It was the perfect dress. It was gorgeous with a sweetheart neckline.”

Generous nan Carol, aged 64, has now insisted on buying Keata another dress and took her to Formal Affair, Hanley, where she picked out another gown for £845.

Keata said: “My nan, bless her, was adamant that she would pay for another one because I was so upset.

“I do not love it as much as the first one but it is lovely.

“I am nervous that the same thing will happen again and we will lose more money.

“I am now on edge. You just don’t think something like that will happen when you’re planning your perfect wedding.”

Keata’s mum, June Jordan, aged 47, of Abbotts Drive, Sneyd Green, said: “I am very upset and annoyed by what has happened, more so for my mum because she paid for the dress.

“It looks like she will lose the main bulk of the money.

“Basically it is all of her savings so she is understandably not happy.

“When the money was paid the staff obviously knew what was happening. It is disgusting.”

Eric Sheppard, an insolvency practitioner instructed by Pronuptia, has been speaking to a number of brides-to-be affected by the situation.

Mr Sheppard said: “With the women who have paid deposits or paid in full we are trying to locate the dresses to get them to the brides as soon as possible.

“I am more than happy to talk to people who have concerns who will be understandably upset by it but I am hopeful that quite a few of the women will get their dresses.

“A liquidator will be appointed on January 20 and I would advise any concerned brides who received the letter to contact me.”

Comments

Keata's nan Carol Hill paid £400 towards the dress on her credit card which she will be able to claim back but will lose the £700 she put on her debit card. I think Section 75 of your credit card agreement will cover for the whole amount since it was over £100.